The Promising Young Writers program represents NCTE's commitment to early and continuing work in the development of writing. The school-based writing program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize student's writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students.

Students who are eighth-graders in the present academic school year are eligible to be nominated for the Promising Young Writers program. Students must be nominated by their teachers. Home-schooled students may submit through a cooperating school.